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Home / Cooking School / How to Hack a Brownie Mix

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How to Hack a Brownie Mix

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Shh! Letting you in on some pastry chef secrets.

boxed Ghirardelli brownies with espresso and vanilla extract hacks on plate

As a classically-trained pastry chef, this should be a recipe for warm, decadent brownies, made from scratch using the finest cocoa powder and chocolate. This is not that article. This is about how to save time and hack a boxed brownie mix to make those brownies taste even better. Homemade, even.

Good brownies taste fudgy and rich, with that nice crackled skin on top and ever-so-slightly crisp around the edge pieces. Great brownies have all that, plus a deep chocolate flavor and maybe some texture from chocolate chips and some walnuts.

Here’s how to get a better brownie out of the best brownie mix.

You’ll also like: The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies and Cowboy Blondies

hack boxed brownies extra ingredients chocolate bowl espresso powder wooden spoon

Step One: Start with a good boxed mix.

There is only so much lipstick you can put on a chocolate boxed brownie pig, so to speak. So the first step is to start with the best brownie mix. The only choice is Ghirardelli. I recommend either Ghirardelli’s Double Chocolate or Chocolate Supreme brownie mixes. Both are excellent.

Do not just take my word for it. Multiple sources, including Cook’s Illustrated and The Kitchn, agree that this brand is by far the best. (F.Y.I.: Duncan Hines gets a big thumbs-down.)

ghirardelli boxed brownie hacks with ingredients vanilla espresso powder egg oil

Step Two: Add your secret ingredients.

Every pastry chef knows that certain “secret” ingredients heighten certain flavors, and may not be listed in a recipe’s ingredients. Fresh lemon juice, for example, heightens and brightens the flavors of fruit in fruit desserts and sweets, like pies, tarts, jams, and preserves.

For brownie purposes, and with chocolate in general, the secret ingredient is coffee. Instant espresso powder, to be exact. Just as lemon juice brightens fruit, coffee adds flavor and depth to chocolate. After a bit of taste testing, I prefer Medaglia D’Oro, an Italian brand that is widely available.

The other secret ingredient is pure vanilla extract. The sweet aroma adds an extra layer of depth to the chocolate flavor.

plate of brownies

Step Three: Add your mix-ins, if desired.

Finally, kick the brownies up with added bonus ingredients for an extra-decadent, homemade-y dessert. Here are some ideas:

  • Swirl in some dollops of peanut butter
  • Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • Add 1/2 cup peppermint pieces
  • Add a large handful of mini pretzels. Don’t chop or break them up. Cutting the brownies and stirring them into the brownie batter will break them up just enough.

pan of cut and baked boxed brownies with extra ingredient hacks

Step Four: Lie.

No one needs to know that you hacked a boxed brownie mix into such a delicious “homemade” brownie dessert. Because you added so many great additional ingredients — not to mention your own egg and oil as directed by the box — your brownies officially have been transformed into homemade.

The way I see it, Ghirardelli merely premixed the dry ingredients (sugar, flour, cocoa, leavening) for you, like the personal baking assistant you deserve. Enjoy.

What is your boxed brownie mix of choice? Share in the comments, below.

stack of two Ghirardelli boxed brownies with espresso vanilla hacks and vanilla ice cream on top

boxed brownie mix with vanilla and espresso hacks in tray with plate of brownies
Print Recipe

How to Hack a Boxed Brownie Mix Into the Best "Homemade" Brownies

Your secret recipe for the best brownies in town.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keywords:: brownie mix, brownies, chocolate chip, cocoa, dessert, ghirardelli
Servings: 12 people

Ingredients

  • 1 box Ghirardelli brownie mix of choice
  • 1 egg, or per box ingredients
  • 1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil, or per box directions
  • 1/4 cup water, or per box directions
  • 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • pinch kosher salt
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional
  • 1 cup chocolate chips, optional (Add if the mix does not already have them. I like Hershey's Special Dark chocolate chips.)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F, or whatever is on the box, and grease or line your baking dish. I use an 8" x 8" square brownie pan.
  • In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, water, egg, vanilla, and espresso powder. Don't worry if the espresso powder forms blobs. Just keep whisking a little more and it will all dissolve.
  • Add the dry brownie mix to the liquid, along with a pinch of salt. Add the nuts and chocolate chips, if using. Stir just until fully combined. Small lumps in the batter are ok.
  • Bake according to the package directions. Let cool before cutting and serving, either plain or garnished with berries, whipped cream, ice cream, or powdered sugar.
    PRO TIP: Brownies are very sticky when cut. To get nice, clean edges, slice through the brownies, then pull the knife toward you to remove it, instead of lifting it out of the brownies. Then wipe the blade down with a warm, wet paper towel between cuts.

Filed Under: Baking + Pastry Technique, Cooking School, Dessert + Baking, Recipes Tagged With: baking hacks, best brownies, brownie mix, brownies, chocolate, dessert

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katherine Lowry says

    May 15, 2020 at 8:54 am

    https://www.ghirardelli.com/chocolate/all-chocolate/ghirardelli-baking-mixes/dark-chocolate-60-cacao-baking-chips-%2812-ct—10-oz-ea%29-61274cs Use these baking chips!

    Reply
  2. Beverly says

    May 15, 2020 at 3:56 pm

    Oh I so do this! Same mix same Italian instant coffee ! Compliments all the time!
    But best of all I frost with chocolate ganache! Just same brand dark chocolate chips stirred into heated heavy cream and dash vanilla! Stunning!,

    Reply
    • Unpeeled says

      May 16, 2020 at 9:32 am

      Hah! Isn’t it a great little trick? And WOW about the chocolate ganache. That sounds amazing. I am going to try that next time. Thanks!

      Reply
  3. Rachel says

    May 17, 2020 at 8:46 pm

    I use the Ghiradelli box mix all the time but have never though to doctor it up. Love these ideas. I’m also all about the ganache that the reader above mentioned. Very decadent 🙂

    Reply
  4. J.J. says

    October 30, 2020 at 3:10 pm

    5 stars
    I did all of your tricks and they definitely tasted like the best brownies I have ever had! I love the espresso powder. Can I do this with other chocolate desserts?

    Reply
  5. Becca S. says

    October 30, 2020 at 3:11 pm

    5 stars
    Over the top decadent. I am converted. I already used Ghirardelli because I think I read in Cook’s Illustrated or something that it was their favorite, but I added the vanilla, salt, and espresso powder and it really tasted just…more. Excellent trick.

    Reply
  6. R.Y. says

    October 30, 2020 at 3:12 pm

    5 stars
    All the thumbs up. Small changed, but noticeably better. Everyone at the little gathering I went to was RAVING and I told them they were homemade! 🙂

    Reply
  7. JR says

    November 19, 2020 at 9:32 am

    5 stars
    Love this!

    Reply
  8. FT says

    November 22, 2020 at 4:49 pm

    5 stars
    I used to buy a different brand but Ghirardelli is definitely better and I did add the espresso and vanilla. My family thought I was some kind of rock star for making these!

    Reply
  9. Sandra Reid Swanson says

    December 12, 2020 at 10:41 am

    Would I be able to add Grand Marnier to Marnier to Bronie Mix instead of water?

    Reply
  10. Sandra Reid Swanson says

    December 12, 2020 at 10:45 am

    Haha sounds like I’ve been hitting the Grand Marnier bottle,sorry distracted,it should have read,may I add Grand Marnier to Ghirardelli Brownie mix ,instead of water??

    Reply
    • Unpeeled says

      December 13, 2020 at 2:00 pm

      Hi, Sandra! No worries!! Hah. And in any event, who doesn’t need to hit the Grand Marnier this year? I LOVE the idea of a boozy brownie. I think a full 1:1 substitution would work if you want a noticeable flavor (in this case, 1/4 cup water with grand marnier). Also, add one extra tablespoon water. Alcohol will evaporate more than water while baking. I’d start with a little less, maybe 1/8 cup, and go from there, if you wanted something more subtle. Cassis and framboise would work well, too. Keep me posted!

      Reply

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